A look at the best events and festivals this summer in Chile

A look out of the window confirms it: Bright sunshine, people lazing in the park and the streets lined with cafes and workers enjoying a drink after a long day — summer is here!

With the great weather — and, with any luck, holidays from work — comes a season full of events and festivals. This is Chile gives you the lowdown on the best goings on for the months of January, February and March.

Santiago a Mil – Jan. 3-19

The nation’s biggest arts festival will bring dozens of theater companies, musical groups, and dance troupes from across the world to Santiago for two and a half weeks this summer. Many of the more than 60 various events are free and open to all. Extension events will also take performances to regions such as BíoBío and Arica.

Some of the country’s leading performers will appear in east Santiago for La Reina’s summer theater festival. Moira Miller of the Teatro Nacional Chileno directs Ariel Dorfman’s acclaimed “The Death and the Maiden” in one highlight.

The beautiful Biblioteca de Santiago will host a showcase of theater catering to family friendly entertainment this January. Among the productions are such children’s classics as “Alice in Wonderland” and “Red Riding Hood.”

Celebrating “huaso” culture in Olmué this summer will be some of the continent’s leading musicians and bands, among them Los Jaivas, Los Bunkers and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs frontman Vicentico. Also on the bill are several of the country’s leading comedians.

And for those who can’t make it to Olmué, the good news is this year’s festival will be shown on TVN for the first time.

Rip Curl Surf Music Festival – Feb. 1

This summer Chile’s surf capital Pichilemu will host the Rip Curl Surf Music Festival. On the bill is German reggae/ dancehall outfit Gentleman, while attendees can also enjoy various workshops, skate competitions and a selection of food — all from the comfort of the beach in summertime!

Traveling from the arid Atacama desert to the lush forests of Southern Chile, E Sun festival promises to be one of the events of the summer and offers something unique to even the seasoned concert-goer.

The electronic music festival — which also contains a strong audiovisual element to ensure your eyes are as entertained as your ears — will pop up in numerous cities and towns across the length of the country, aiming to decentralize Chile’s cultural events and open up access to the Santiago dominated festival scene.